New for 2019 from Audley Travel

Tailor-made travel specialist Audley Travel has new properties, new experiences and new itineraries for 2019.

New itineraries

Audley’s Australia and New Zealand teams have introduced a series of new luxury itineraries for 2019. As an example, the 17-day Luxury New Zealand Self-Drive itinerary sees clients stays at some of the most luxurious accommodation in the country. They will enjoy a gourmet wine tour in the Marlborough region, take a helicopter ride over Milford Sound, the Fiordland National Park and the Southern Lakes region, with a snow landing on the return. The itinerary also includes time in Auckland, Taupo, Napier and Hawkes Bay, Blenheim, Christchurch and Queenstown.

Audley’s USA team has re-worked its Route 66 itineraries for 2019. Its traditional self-drive Route 66 trips took over three weeks to complete, and feedback from some clients stated that they wanted to experience parts of the trip without dedicating such a long period of time. Audley has therefore launched a Highlights of Route 66 sample itinerary which gives clients a feel for the iconic drive, with time spent in the key areas from Chicago to Springfield and then from Albuquerque to Los Angeles with a flight over middle section to save time and reduce costs.

Also in the USA, the team are working on new sample itineraries featuring South Carolina and the surrounding areas for 2019, which take advantage of the new direct BA flight to Charleston.

New cruise itineraries and ships

Cruise will be a key focus for Audley Travel in 2019, and as such, the operator is delighted to be offering clients itineraries featuring sailings on new ships in Antarctica and French Polynesia.

Antarctica – three new ships will be available to Audley clients from the end of 2018 and through 2019. One Ocean Expeditions’ new ship, RCGS Resolute, launches in late 2018 and boasts spacious outer decks providing 360 degree viewing platforms. As well as lecture and presentation spaces, communal areas feature a salt water plunge pool, large relaxation deck, hot water Jacuzzi and wellness centre with massage rooms and well-equipped gym. Greg Mortimer, from Aurora Expeditions is the cruise liner’s first custom build ship and will launch in late 2019. The new ship features unique custom built viewing platforms, which fold out hydraulically to allow passengers to have the best views of passing marine life. Hondius from Oceanwide Expeditions launches at the end of 2019 offering clients excellent cuisine, accommodation and service. The ship has an entire deck dedicated to lectures and exhibitions and the numerous cabins and suites have all been custom-designed and decorated in a stylish mid-century modern look. Hondius is one of the first civilian vessels in the world to receive a Polar Class 6 grading, the most advanced category of polar cruise ship available.

In French Polynesia, new itineraries are in development which will allow clients to cruise on the Paul Gauguin and Aranui cruise ships in 2019.

New accommodation

Cambodia - Audley is delighted to be able to offer Shinta Mani Wild to clients from the start of 2019. The property is a new concept for luxury camps in the country, and has been designed by world renowned Bill Bensley. The site boasts 15 custom designed tents perched over the water with fantastic views of the waterfalls. Guests will spend their days exploring the waterways of this wild estuarine ecosystem on-board the property’s luxury expedition boats.

Australia - Audley’s Australia team has introduced a new property on the Great Ocean Road, which will allow the country specialists to put together a more luxurious experience for clients. Alkina Lodge was designed by one of the country’s top architects and is a stunning property that is surrounded by amazing scenery and wildlife, and away from the crowds. Walks from the lodge include a route to the 12 Apostles, which allows clients to approach the popular spot with barely another person in sight.

New Zealand - Audley is proud to be working with the Lindus Group, offering its four properties to clients who seek out luxury accommodation with a minimal carbon footprint. The properties include Chalet New Zermant in Queenstown, Paroa Bay Winery in Russell, and a new property currently being built in Wanaka, called Mount Isthmus.

Zambia - Audley’s Africa team is introducing a new camp in South Luangwa National Park, Nkonzi Bush Camp. The property, with four walk-in safari tents, is simple with a rustic charm, and is excellent value for clients. The camp is in one of Africa’s finest wildlife destinations with grassy plains and ancient forests surrounding it. The property offers guests walking safaris as well as game drives and is set to be a firm favourite for clients who like to stargaze, as there is zero light pollution to obstruct the panoramic views.

Canada – Audley’s Canada team has been developing its offering in Golden in recent months, with more accommodation options added for 2019. Golden is between Glacier and Yoho national parks and is ideally located for exploring both parks and also Lake Louise, Banff National Park and Mount Revelstoke National Park. Clients visiting will benefit from the calmer and quieter atmosphere, as it is far less busy than the best-known parts of the Rocky Mountains.

New experiences

Audley’s Australia team is introducing a new way to see the Sydney harbour for 2019, with a progressive dining cruise that visits different restaurants around the harbour, including some in the lesser visited suburbs of the city, for each course.

Audley’s China team has revamped the excursion programme in country, giving clients a different way of exploring the classic routes with more immersive experiences, many of which are exclusive to Audley. Examples include the Beijinger Cookery Class, where an experienced chef from one of Beijing’s top hotels will take clients to a local food market and then lead them through the creation of five classic Chinese dishes, including knowing which of the plethora of soy sauces to use. Also new for Audley is a guided visit to the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Centre, which contains around 600 original propaganda posters produced during and after Mao’s rise to power. This privately owned museum presents a rare glimpse into how political ideology was conveyed to the masses.

Audley’s USA team is excited to be able to offer guided tours of the major new Andy Warhol exhibition, the first in the US since 1989, running from November 2018 until March 2019 at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.

Commitment to single-use plastic reduction

Audley is committed to minimising the environmental impact of the trips it organises for its clients. As a result, Audley has been working with its suppliers in destinations to look at ways to provide clients with good quality refillable water bottles, ideally ones that they will continue to use once they return home. This project is in its trial stages and Audley has started to offer these reusable bottles in selected destinations in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America, with the view to increase this to Audley’s top 15 destinations throughout 2019 and then beyond in 2020.

Alex Bentley, Head of Product for Audley Travel, said: “2019 is set to be an exciting year to travel with Audley – we have many new and fascinating experiences, tours and itineraries that will let our clients immerse themselves in their destination and its culture. We are continually reviewing our programme and looking for more gems for our clients to enjoy – the range of new and exclusive excursions available to clients in China great example of this – and we plan to continue to offer more fantastic new experiences to our clients throughout 2019.”

Notes to editors

Sample pricing

USA

Audley’s specialists recommend a 15-day trip ‘Highlights of Route 66’. It costs from £2,305 per person (based on two sharing) and includes flights, accommodation, transfers and excursions. For more information please visit our USA holiday page call 01993 838755.

New Zealand

Audley’s specialists recommend a 17-day trip ‘Luxury New Zealand self-drive’. It costs from £13,225 per person (based on two sharing) and includes flights, accommodation, transfers, car hire and excursions. For more information please visit our New Zealand holiday page or call 01993 838820.

Antarctica cruise

Audley’s specialists recommend a 15-day trip ‘Antarctic Peninsula Cruise’. It costs from £8,900 per person (based on two sharing) and includes flights, accommodation, transfers and excursions. For more information please visit our Antarctica holiday page or call 01993 838615.

Australia

Audley’s specialists recommend a 20-day trip to Australia including a stay on the Great Ocean Road and the progressive dining tour in Sydney. It costs from £6,075 per person (based on two sharing) and includes flights, accommodation, transfers and excursions. For more information please visit our Australia holiday page or call 01993 838810.

Cambodia

Audley’s specialists recommend a 14 day trip to Cambodia including 3 nights at Shinta Mani Wild. It costs from £7,200 per person (based on two sharing) and includes flights, accommodation, transfers and excursions. For more information please visit our Cambodia holiday page or call 01993 838160.

Zambia

Audley’s specialists recommend a 11-day trip ‘Zambia’s wildlife and Victoria Falls’. It costs from £3,920 per person (based on two sharing) and includes flights, accommodation, transfers and excursions. For more information please visit our Zambia holiday page or call 01993 838505.

China

Audley’s specialists recommend a 16-day trip ‘Classic China and Yangtze cruise’. It costs from £4,905 per person (based on two sharing) and includes flights, accommodation, transfers and excursions. For more information please visit our China holiday page or call 01993 838220.

About Audley Travel

Audley Travel creates unique travel experiences through first-hand specialist knowledge and outstanding customer service. Its tailor-made travel experiences are available in over 80 countries across the world. Each trip is designed by a destination specialist who knows the country in great detail, having lived there or explored it many times. Each trip is designed specifically for a client, based on their tastes, interests and budget with a common commitment to quality and to showing clients the highlights of a destination in a different light, and introducing them to places and experiences that others might miss. For more information on all of Audley’s tailor-made trips, please visit www.audleytravel.com.