These culturally infused tours immerse travelers in a city’s local flavor while also taking in its famous landmarks.
Select Italy has introduced three new tour options for guests to experience Expo, the City of Milan and its surroundings during Universal Exposition, which opened May 1 and runs through Oct. 31, 2015.
The 184-day expo—themed Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life—brings more than 140 countries and three international organizations together to discuss the problems of nutrition and the planet’s resources. Select Italy has created three Expo Made Easy packages combining popular activities and services with the Expo entrance ticket. The Milan Expo Made Easy combines the Expo experience with Milan’s favorite landmarks; Milan for Foodies: Inside & Outside the Expo is made for those who want to take in the culinary scene; and Milan Expo & Florence Made Easy is perfect for those who want to take in Florence as well as attend the Expo. Each tour includes an Expo ticket, a selected guided tour or a museum entrance, and a train ticket. For more information, visit selectitaly.com.
MIR Corporation is offering a 20-day Explore the Once Forbidden Lands of Central Asia and Iran itinerary. Travelers on this itinerary visit Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran. The tour departs on Nov. 9, 2015 and first stops in Tashkent, Samarkand where participants visit the private studio of a sixth generation ceramicist, see the UNESCO-listed Registan, and share a meal with their hostess in her family’s Samarkand home. Guests will also explore the World Heritage site of Khiva’s Old Town, including the 19th century Tash-Hauli Palace and the Dzhuma Mosque; fly to Ashkabad where they’ll take a tour of a working farm that breeds Akhal-Teke horse; and visit the UNESCO-listed Nisa, the ancient capital of the Parthian kingdom. While in Tehran they’ll visit the Tomb of Imam Reza, one of the most sacred sites of the Shi’ite Islam, and tour the Carpet Museum and Yazd. They’ll also go to Shiraz where they’ll explore the remnants of Persepolis, one of the most important cities of the Ancient World, and admire the bridges of Isfahan and the UNESCO-listed Imam Square. Finally, while in Kashan, they’ll visit the Persian Bagh-e Fin Garden and the sacred city of Qom. The tour will come to an end in Tehran. This itinerary is priced at $7,195 pp. For more information, call (800) 424-7289 or visit mircorp.com/trip/once-forbidden-lands-of-central-asia-iran.
Travelers visiting Croatia can tailor their trip with Central Holidays’ When in Dubrovnik package, which is part of the company’s When In series. The When In Dubrovnik package allows travelers to choose their ideal travel experience when starting with the When In base package to create their dream trip with options such as Travel in Simplicity, Travel in Style, or Travel in Luxury.
Guests design the travel package that best fits their interests with their Central Holidays specialist. The package includes 5-night accommodations in the traveler’s choice of a Dubrovnik city-center hotel with daily breakfast, sightseeing excursions, and activities featuring Tourist, First-Class, and Deluxe options. The When in Dubrovnik selection of travel packages allows travelers to discover the pedestrian-friendly Old Town, take in the views over the town and sea while walking along the city’s ancient walls built between the 13th and 16th centuries, and visit the Pile Gate entrance, the Franciscan Monastery, the Renaissance Sponza Palace, and the Church of St. Blaise. Rates start at $683 pp. For more information, visit centralholidays.com.
