Avanti Destinations released its 2016 Essence of Europe brochure on Monday, and we’re excited to let you in on what the FIT tour operator has in store for the new year. In response to agent’s request for a wider range of FIT products in Europe, Avanti created 62 new customizable FIT itineraries, and added 13 CroisiEurope cruises and 17 Back-Roads Touring small group tours to its portfolio, in addition to introducing its newest European destination, Croatia. The company, which reported double-digit growth in the number of passengers booked in 2015 compared to 2014, has also expanded regionally in England (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset), France (Dordogne, Aquitaine, Languedoc-Roussillon) and Iceland (Ayureki, Vik).
Here’s a small sampling of Avanti’s new customizable vacations and add-on tours and transfers scheduled for 2016:
- 8-day Croatia: Island Hopping Dalmatian Coast
Guests travel from Split, built within the ruins of a Roman emperor’s palace, and visit the scenic islands of Brac, Hvar and Korcula, before ending in the walled city of Dubrovnik. Rates start at $1,165 pp dbl and include all ground and boat transfers and walking tours in Split and Dubrovnik.
- 6-day England: Year of the English Garden: London & Kent
Highlights include visits to the famous gardens of Sissinghurst, Goodnestone, Walmer Castle and Wakehurst with the option for London & Cotswolds and London & West Country garden tours. Rates start at $4,199 pp dbl, including private London gardens tour, London TripBuilder City Guide, private transfers, afternoon tea in a garden and three days with a private driver/guide in the countryside.
- 7-day Spain: Castle Road
A self-drive tour, with five days of car rental, featuring the castle-strewn Rioja and Ribera del Duero wine country and overnight stays in a parador, as well as a former abbey and a former convent. Rates start at $1,299 pp dbl, and include a Madrid tapas tour, three winery tours with tastings and lunch in Aranda de Duero.
- 8-day Ireland: Classic Ireland
A self-drive tour through Dublin, Galway, Killarney and Limerick. Rates start at $1,199 pp dbl, and include a 7-day car rental, hop on/hop off bus tour and dinner in Dublin, entrance to Guinness Storehouse, Kylemore Abbey, Cliffs of Moher, Burren Visitor Center, Foynes Flying Boat Museum and horse-drawn carriage ride to Ross Castle.
- 9-day Denmark & Norway: Scandinavian Discovery
A scenic tour of Copenhagen, Oslo, Flam, and Bergen with rail trips and ferry ride through a stunning fjord. Rates start at $1,599 ppp dbl, and include private arrival transfer, city tours in Copenhagen and Oslo, ferry transfer Copenhagen-Oslo and a Norway in a Nutshell rail pass.
For more information, call (800) 422-5053 or visit avantidestinations.com.
