Experience the Real Asia with Trafalgar's Exclusive Insider Experiences


Launching new guided holidays to Japan, China and Cambodia extension with 2015 Asia brochure

TORONTO, July 31, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trafalgar's (www.trafalgar.com), the Insider of guided vacations new 2015 collection of Asia guided holidays reveals the rich diversity and iconic sites of Asia with 14 exciting itineraries to Japan, China, Thailand and Vietnam plus extensions to Cambodia, Hong Kong and Singapore.  Travellers experience unique Insider moments such as embarking on a small boat to cruise down the Yangtze River or waking up on a luxury Junk Boat in Halong Bay. 

"For 2015, we're thrilled to showcase the many flavours of Asia and dining with the locals are an integral part to every Trafalgar holiday in Asia," says Doug Patterson, president of Trafalgar Canada. "With our Be My Guest experiences, our travellers are invited into the homes of people such as the village chief's family in Ban Mae Kampong or sampling local delicacies with a farming family in Hoi An."

Trafalgar is also offering savings of up to $1490* per couple on Asia with our 10 per cent Early Payment Discount when you book and pay in full by November 20, 2014! 

New trips for 2015 are: 

Samurai Discovery
Shinto gods and stunning landscapes meet futuristic cities and virtual worlds, on a unique family-focused journey of discovery that roams from vibrant Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto. This 7-day Samurai Discovery trip takes travellers to Tokyo, Mt. Fuji and Kyoto and combines sightseeing to suit the entire family with some fun activities for the kids included too! Beginning with three nights in the capital of Japan, travellers will visit the grounds of the Imperial Palace, located in the heart of Tokyo. Later, they will visit the famous Ginza district to partake in a Local Specialty with a hands-on sushi making class and after exploring Ginza; guests will head to the man-made island of Obaida to visit Sega Joypolis, an indoor amusement park in the centre of Tokyo. For their last day in Tokyo, travellers will have fun during a Taiko Drumming lesson, an ancient form of percussion that uses large drums and a dynamic playing style. On the way to Kyoto, guests will visit the beautiful Five Lakes District to take in the impressive views at 2300 meters above sea level. It's almost close enough to grab the summit of Mt. Fuji! In Kyoto, guests will revel in the spectacular views of the city and valley below with a visit to Kiyomizu Temple located on Otowa Mountain. Later, guests will be treated a Be My Guest dining experience at a preserved Machiya townhouse and children will enjoy Japanese calligraphy lessons. On the last day of the journey, travellers will begin their day by taking a traditional wooden Trokko train ride to Arashiyama and take in the beautiful scenery as it winds its way through the mountains and along the Hozugawa River. A visit to Toei Kyoto Studio Park will activate one's inner ninja as the studio doubles as a theme park. Children will love dressing up as samurai and everyone will enjoy live ninja performances with extravagant sword fights. Certainly, a very memorable way to end the Samurai Discovery journey in Japan.  

Timeless Essence of Hong Kong & Mainland China
Three distinct areas of China are combined in one trip by Trafalgar as travellers visit Hong Kong, Guilin and Beijing on this 11-day Timeless Essence of Hong Kong and Mainland China itinerary. Spending three nights in Hong Kong, travellers will begin their journey with a thrilling ride on the 126 year-old tram up to Victoria Peak for breathtaking views over the city and harbor. The day is filled with exciting activities that include a sampan boat ride around Aberdeen Harbour, a dim sum meal onboard the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant and a visit to Stanley Market. A trip to Hong Kong is not complete without a visit to the tranquil and car-free island of Cheng Chau where travellers will feel as if they have stepped back in time. In Guilin, guests will delight in a scenic cruise with a Local Expert along the Li River to the ancient city of Yanshuo, a town famous for its mystical peaks, rivers, caves and temples. On to Beijing where travellers will visit all the iconic sites including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden city and the Great Wall. To end the journey in China, guests will experience a full day of sightseeing beginning with meeting the adorable giant pandas at Beijing Zoo, experiencing an exhilarating rickshaw ride and partaking in Be My Guest Farewell lunch of traditional Chinese home cooking with a local family.

Treasures of China Past & Present
This trip uncovers the secrets of Hong Kong, dramatic landscapes of Guilin and tranquility of car-free Cheng Chau, to reveal the contrasting faces of a nation. The 15-day Treasures of China Past and Present offers all of the highlights from Timeless Essence of Hong Kong and Mainland China, but includes four extra nights. After Beijing, travellers will fly to the city of Xi'an where they can try a morning Tai Chi class, visit the distinctive Big Wild Goose Pagoda and test their technique in a calligraphy class. After a noodle making demonstration class and lunch, travellers will visit the famous army of Terracotta Warriors with a Local Expert. After watching a demonstration on the art of making dumplings and lunch, travellers will fly to Shanghai just in time to take a relaxing cruise along the Huangpu River to admire the city's illuminated skyline. Spending three nights in Shanghai, travellers will enjoy free time to explore this bustling city on their own as well as visit the Jade Budda Temple, a silk making factory and enjoy an evening performance by the world-renowned Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe. 

For more information on Trafalgar and the new Asia 2015 program, please contact your local travel agent or visit www.trafalgar.com and follow us on Twitter at @TrafalgarCanada and Facebook

-ENDS-

Terms and Conditions: *Save up to $1,490 per couple with 10 per cent Early Payment Discount (EPD) (land only) on new 2015 Asia vacations when booked and paid in full by Nov 20, 2014. Sample savings is per couple, based on Splendors of Japan with Hiroshima, departing Oct 4, 2015. Savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all vacations/departure dates and are subject to availability. Not valid with other promotional offers; may be combined with most brochure discounts. Offers may be withdrawn at any time without notice.

About Trafalgar:
Trafalgar is the world's leading guided vacation company offering exceptional quality and value itineraries to a range of exciting destinations. With some 67 years of experience and unrivaled local expertise, Trafalgar provides an authentic insider's view to create truly unique travel experiences in Europe, Britain and Eastern Mediterranean, South Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, China, Mexico, Central and South America, USA and Canada.

About TreadRight:
Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation's family of brands, the TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit working to ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has donated more than USD 2.5 million to sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The Foundation's guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities. Foundation priorities are set by the Steering Committee, which includes sustainability leaders like Céline Cousteau and Costas Christ.

TreadRight's past project partners include WWF, Conservation International and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include sponsoring the National Geographic Society's inaugural "World Legacy Awards," WildAid and inspiring wildlife advocates like Terri Irwin.

To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at treadright.org.  

Media Contacts: 

Katherine Chin
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The Travel Corporation, Canada
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Marie Anne MacRae
Director, Public Relations
TRAFALGAR
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E marieanne.macrae@trafalgar.com

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