DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Oct. 19, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brendan Vacations is excited to announce the launch of their all-new Boutique Journeys program and travel catalog. Boutique Journeys is a new way of exploring the world with Brendan Vacations. Touting the promise of "never more than 24 guests" and "always more than you expected," this collection of premium vacations accommodates as few as two guests and a maximum of only 24, letting guests delve deeper into local traditions, bond more tightly with their travel companions and interact more personally with the people and experiences they engage along the way – all with the added peace of mind that their journey will always travel as scheduled, as every departure in the catalog is guaranteed.
Everything from enriching excursions and ideally located accommodations to festive meals and exquisite wine tastings are designed to bring travelers even closer to the sights they venture to the corners of the world not just to see, but to experience. Featuring nearly 35 hand-crafted itineraries to over 30 emerging and sought-after destinations around the world, Brendan Vacations is forging a new path in 2013 to engage the senses and each traveler's sense of discovery, all within a small group atmosphere.
Brendan is also thrilled to announce that it has joined with the Slow Food Organization and is part of the Slow Food Travel® program which is being sold exclusively by Brendan in the U.S. marketplace. Slow Food is part of a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members in over 150 countries, which links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment. Brendan has six enticing Slow Food Travel itineraries, mixing together regionally grown ingredients, historic locales and local hosts for a generous serving of something extraordinary. Slow Food Travel® itineraries in France and Italy join vacations in Colombia, Guatemala, India and Myanmar, and a host of others to create the personalized vacation experiences you have come to expect from Brendan.
According to Nico Zenner, President of Brendan Vacations, "Boutique Journeys go to the core of what we believe and what we do. When we say Brendan looks forward to "TAKING YOU PERSONALLY," we mean it in more ways than one. First, we personally delight in revealing hidden gems and renowned landmarks, whether it's a quaint Tuscan café or the mountaintop wonder of Machu Picchu. Second, we create vacation experiences with our guests in mind – travelers who are eager to learn new things, meet new people and step into new realms of culture and geography –that can transform a pleasant sojourn into the journey of a lifetime."
Brendan's Boutique Journeys travel to France, Italy, Greece, Ireland, South and Central America, China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, South Africa, Iceland, and India. Here are just a few of the unforgettable itineraries:
Piedmont's Gastronomic Pleasures (Slow Food Itinerary) — 7 Days. It was here in the Piedmont town of Bra that the Slow Food movement got its start. Considered "Tuscany without the tourists," Piedmont rivals its Mediterranean neighbors in its food and wine production (and therefore in its picturesque, vineyard-clad landscapes), making it an ideal place to explore. You'll sample not only the Three Bs of wine—Barbera, Barbaresco and Barolo—but also exquisite hazelnuts, chocolates and cheeses for which Piedmont, Italy is known.
Portrait of Indo China —17 Days. Ancient kingdoms became for less than a century French Indochina – now three independent nations. These Southeast Asian gems are rich in tradition, but very distinct among the nations. Vietnam's thriving variety, the more sedate pace of peaceful Laos, and the astounding complex of temples and palaces at Angkor Wat in Cambodia – magnifique! Carefully selected hotels combine modern luxury and timeless elegance to elevate your experience.
A World in One Country — 14 days. Traveling along South Africa's picturesque Panorama Route and Garden Route, you'll discover that there is no end to the views, or to the wondrous natural sights that populate them. If vast, escarpment-edge vistas from God's Window don't wow you, then surely the towering stalactites and stalagmites of Cango Caves will. If whales seen from the shore (during the season) don't leave you breathless, then maybe watching lions, buffalo and rhinos amble across the grassy landscape of Kruger National Park will.
Baja California and the Great Gray Whale Migration — 7 Days. Baja California is ever so much more than beach resorts. On this excursion into Nature and the Sea, you may snorkel among sea lions, commune with giant gray whales in a Pacific Lagoon; hike atop sea cliffs and into a dramatic desert canyon. All this, while staying at carefully selected hotels in character-filled towns. Kayak, surf, swim, and explore. There are also options for scuba diving, fishing and horseback riding.
Brendan's long-standing tradition of personal service, innovation and customer has been taken to a new level with its newest and most immersive travel style yet, the 2013 Boutique Journeys brochure.
Click here for the e-brochure or for more information or to book call 800.421.8446 or visit www.brendanvacations.com.
About Brendan Vacations
Brendan Vacations, the Ireland Specialist, is a leading US tour operator offering a wide selection of Guided, Customized, Locally Hosted, Boutique and group travel options. Established in 1969, its portfolio includes thousands of hotels and unique accommodations, as well as uniquely-inspired customized travel options in Ireland and immersive vacation experiences in the UK, Europe, Eastern Europe & the Balkans, Russia, Africa, Asia Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, South and Central America. With high quality products, friendly service and competitive pricing, Brendan Vacations offers memorable experiences for every client.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, the company is a respected brand of The Travel Corporation. Brendan has made Ireland its second home for over 40 years, and a Dublin office contracts product and manages inbound traffic for cruise lines, incentive houses, meeting planners and tour operators. Brendan Vacations is a founding member of USTOA and other professional affiliations include ASTA, PATA, OSSN and NTA.
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