TORONTO, June 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Insight Vacations (www.insightvacations.com), the leader of premium and luxury escorted journeys, is celebrating the launch of its first foray into South America with the addition of the new Luxury Gold itinerary entitled, Treasures of the Incas - a Peruvian journey into the mysterious world of the Inca. Ranked as one of the top destinations in 2014 by TripAdvisor, Peru has long been a dream destination for many seasoned travellers. With 25 outstanding itineraries including 10 Luxury Gold trips featured in the USA, Canada and South America 2016-2017 collection, the award-winning travel company will transport guests throughout the geographically and culturally diverse continents of North and South Americas. From the spectacular terraced saltpans of the Sacred Valley in Peru to the glamour of Los Angeles, "Luxury Gold" travellers will experience the finest handpicked hotels including the exclusive The Towers at the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan and the new Mailani Tower at The Royal Hawaiian. Guests will also enjoy a cornucopia of epicurean experiences that have been crafted into every itinerary, guaranteed to challenge even the most discerning of palates.
"I am thrilled to introduce Peru as as our newest Insight destination with the launch of our 'Luxury Gold' and classic premium escorted journeys collection which takes our travellers by road, rail and cruise," says Cris David, president, Insight Vacations Canada. "Our Americas program contains a kaleidoscope of cultures and scenery, and our guests will now be able to travel in true elegance and style on our 'Luxury Gold' itineraries.
For the 2016 season, Insight Vacations introduces three new itineraries:
Treasures of the Incas - first departure on February 26th, 2016
The mysterious world of the Inca Empire is played out on this 12-day stylish exploration of Peru - a truly diverse country, with 11 ecoregions and 84 of the 117 life zones that exist worldwide. Starting in the pulsating capital of Lima, heralded as the "Future of Gastronomy" by Condé Nast Traveler, gourmands will enjoy lunch at Amor Amar - a hidden gem in the bohemian district of Barranco that serves classic Peruvian dishes with a touch of the Mediterranean. Located on an obscure street where even taxi drivers have a hard time locating it, the Peruvian eatery is housed within a Republican-era mansion that hosts an art gallery and an open-air bar with Pisco Sour cocktails. Not to be outdone, guests are also treated to dinner at one of Peru's top restaurants, Huaca Pucllana where chefs Marilú Madueño and Andrea Massaro serve their take on "new Andean" cuisine - all while patrons dine overlooking the illuminated ruins of a 1,500 year old pre-Inca pyramid. From there, travellers board a flight to Cusco - a UNESCO Heritage site since 1983 and known by the Incas as the "Sacred City" - where a drive down to Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas will captivate the senses. Stretching between the former capital of one of the main pre-Columbian empires, the Tahuantinsuyo, and the legendary city of Machu Picchu, lies what was once the fertile homeland of the Incan Empire. While at Cusco, guests meld the worlds of travel and the ability to make a difference into one where they meet with Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, a Quechua weaver, scholar and TreadRight Foundation Heritage Initiative grant recipient. During lunch at her workshop, guests learn about the mission to preserve traditional Andean weaving techniques - a 10,000-year-old textile tradition that is in danger of disappearing. Travellers view several of the 500 weavers at work that the TreadRight Foundation and Insight Cares assist through the grant. Not only do they learn about this ancient people's beliefs, but they also learn the consequences of if this art form was ever lost - a vital link to their history and culture. After exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu with a Local Expert, which was recently named one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World", guests board the award-winning Andean Explorer that traverses between mountains, clouds and highlands. On this ten-hour journey to Lake Titicaca and Puno, the Orient-Express style train takes passengers back in time to the bygone era of glamourous train travel. Travelling in opulence, each car offers an exquisitely decorated space with the subtle, delicate style of the great Pullman trains of the roaring twenties. Upon arrival to Lake Titicaca, guests cruise the most sacred lake in the Incan civilisation, to the floating islands of Uros where they will meet the native Kotsuña (the "lake people") as a Signature Experience.
Landscapes of the Canadian Maritimes - first departure on June 25th, 2016
Guests on the 12-day "Premium Journey" will be able to recharge on this seaside escape, with striking ocean vistas, colourful harbours and intriguing insights into the history of Canada's Maritime Provinces. Beginning with three nights in Halifax, the largest city in the Maritimes, guests stay at the world-class The Prince George Hotel where Four Diamond service awaits. From Halifax, travellers venture to the surrounding area of Peggy's Cove and historic Lunenburg. At Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, guests experience one of the best surviving examples of a planned British Colonial settlement in North America. Once known as the village of Mirligueche by the Mi'kmaq First Nations, this picturesque town quickly rose to become a seafaring powerhouse. It is here that guests visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic where they commemorate the fishing heritage of the Atlantic coast of Canada and has recently been named one of the top 1000 best places to see in the US and Canada before you die. Housed in brightly painted red buildings with floating vessels at wharfside, guests meet a retired fisherman who will regale tales of the sea and talk about the fishing industry and its impact on the region's economy and traditions as part of the Signature Experience. Then guests travel up to Baddeck for the breathtaking Cabot Trail on Cape Breton where they embark on a unique "white gloves" visit at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site that takes them behind the scenes to touch the depths of the private life of one of the most influential figures in human history. Seafood lovers will rejoice over a "Scallop 101" experience with celebrated Canadian Chef, Dale Nichols, as he demonstrates Canadian haute cuisine.
Easy Pace American Contrasts - first departure on April 27th, 2016
This 13-day Premium Journey will showcase the best in American cities. The glamour of Los Angeles, the bright lights and desert setting of Las Vegas and the excitement of New York City come together to create a relaxed snapshot of this amazing country. Arriving in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, travellers will make visits to the star-studded sites that this city is famous for. From exploring Venice Beach and its circus-like Boardwalk to Downtown Los Angeles - "the coolest new downtown in America" according to GQ - guests take in the true SoCal spirit before heading to an exclusive Signature Experience that will rock their worlds. At The GRAMMY Museum, travellers go on a unique behind-the-scenes tour with a Local Expert as they walk down a musical road that offers fascinating insights into the museum's 30,000 square feet of exhibitions, interactive experiences and films. From the sunny coast of Southern California, travellers head to the sunny desert oasis of Las Vegas. In "Sin City", guests delve into the murky world of gangsters, with a tour of the Mob Museum. A Local Expert will reveal main players such as Al Capone and Whitey Bulger, their stories and what remains of them today. This great American tour ends in the city that never sleeps, New York New York! In the Big Apple, guests embark on a private tour of the New York Fire Museum with a retired FDNY firefighter. During this time, travellers will visit a special memorial to the 343 members of the FDNY who made the Supreme Sacrifice on 9/11 featuring a number of firefighting artifacts recovered from the World Trade Center site.
Canadians can take advantage of saving up to $2,096 per couple* by booking and paying early - guests who pay in full before November 19th, 2015 can save up to 10%*.
To book these escorted journeys or for more information, please visit www.insightvacations.com, contact Insight's Sale Centre at 1-866-747-8120 or speak with your local travel agent.
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 supported more than 35 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," and inspiring wildlife advocates like Terri Irwin.
To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at treadright.org.
About Insight Vacations
For more than 35 years, Insight Vacations (www.insightvacations.com) has been designing the world's finest escorted travel itineraries. Insight offers 113 journeys to more countries across Europe than any other operator and provides the same legendary service across North America, India, Bhutan, Morocco, Egypt and Israel.
Insight guests enjoy The Art of Touring in Style with business-class legroom aboard customized luxury coaches, intimate groups of just 40 travellers and the services of an experienced Tour Director who acts as 'travelling concierge.' Each expertly planned itinerary includes a range of Signature Events for a unique and authentic look into the history and culture of each destination. Throughout their trip, guests will stay in handpicked hotels that are centrally or scenically located and have the perfect balance of guided and independent exploration.
For more information, visit us at http://www.insightvacations.com, on social media at http://www.facebook.com/InsightVacations, http://twitter.com/InsightVacation, and join the conversation using the hashtag #InsightMoments.
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*Terms & Conditions: Applies only to trips featuring the "Early Payment Discount" in the price panel. Applies only to the Land-only portion of the holiday. For discounts to apply, trips must be paid in full by the designated date and not less than 45 days before the trip departs.
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Marie Anne MacRae
Global VP, Strategic Partnerships
The Travel Corporation | 33 Kern Rd., Toronto, ON, M3B 1S9
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